Roof Claim Denied for Hail or Wind Damage? What to Do Next

We get this call every week during storm season. A homeowner can see the dented gutters, the granules piled up at the bottom of the downspout, the neighbor's new roof going on next door. Then the letter shows up: claim denied.

Sometimes the adjuster got it right. Sometimes they didn't. Adjusters are human, and after a big hailstorm some of them are looking at 15 or 20 roofs a day. Things get missed. Here's how to figure out which one you're dealing with, and what to do about it.

Why roof claims get denied

Most denial letters land in one of a handful of buckets. Knowing which one yours is tells you what kind of proof you need.

"Wear and tear" or "age-related deterioration." The adjuster thinks the shingles are just old. Hail damage and aging look different up close. Hail leaves random bruises and breaks. Age wears the whole roof down evenly.
"No storm damage found." Many adjusters count hail hits inside a small test area on each slope. If they checked the wrong slope, stayed on a ladder, or missed soft bruises you can only feel by hand, the count comes up short.
"Cosmetic damage only." Some policies exclude cosmetic damage, mostly on metal roofs, vents and trim. Whether a dent is just cosmetic or actually affects the roof is worth a second opinion.
"Prior damage" or "old storm." The insurer believes the damage happened before your policy started or long before you reported it.
"Below your deductible." The estimate came in under your deductible. Sometimes that's because gutters, vents, flashing or whole slopes were left off.
Late reporting. The claim was filed after the deadline in your policy. This one is hard to undo, which is why we tell people to get the roof looked at soon after a storm.

Step 1: Get everything in writing

Call your claims rep and ask for three things in writing: the denial letter with the specific reason and the policy section it's based on, the adjuster's photos and estimate, and any engineer or inspection report they used. You're entitled to understand why your claim was denied. Don't settle for a phone explanation.

Then get a full copy of your policy, not just the declarations page. Look for your wind and hail deductible (many Midwest policies now use a percentage), whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value, and any cosmetic damage exclusion or roof payment schedule.

Step 2: Have the roof documented by someone who doesn't work for the insurance company

This is where we come in. We walk the whole roof, every slope, and photograph what we find: chalk-circled hail hits, cracked and bruised shingles, granule loss, dented vents, flashing and gutters. You get a written report with photos and measurements. It's free, and you get it either way.

It also helps to show that hail actually fell at your house on the date of loss. Dings on the air conditioner fins, dented mailboxes, chipped paint and damaged cars all back up what's on the roof.

Step 3: Ask for a re-inspection

If the new documentation shows damage the first inspection missed, send your insurer a written request for a re-inspection. Include your claim number, the date of loss and the photo report. Ask that your roofer be there. It's a lot easier to settle a disagreement standing on the roof than over the phone. Our page on how to request a re-inspection walks through it step by step.

Step 4: If they still say no

Appraisal. Many homeowner policies have an appraisal clause for disagreements over the amount of a loss. You and the insurer each hire an appraiser, and an umpire settles what they can't agree on. Your policy spells out the rules.

Your state insurance department. Every state we work in has a free complaint process, and insurers have to respond: the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Illinois Department of Insurance, the Indiana Department of Insurance, or the Kentucky Department of Insurance.

A public adjuster or attorney. A licensed public adjuster represents you on the claim, usually for a percentage of what's paid. An attorney can review a coverage dispute. More on that in know your rights as a consumer.

When the denial is right

We'll be straight with you. If your roof is just worn out, or the hail was too small to hurt it, we'll tell you that. We would rather lose a job than file a claim that shouldn't be filed. If that's where you land, we can talk about a repair to buy you some time or a fairly priced replacement with financing.

Where we fit

We're roofers. We inspect, document, repair and replace roofs, and we'll meet your adjuster on the roof to show what we found. We are not public adjusters or lawyers, and we don't negotiate your claim for you. That conversation stays between you and your insurance company, or someone you hire to represent you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I reopen a denied roof claim?

Often, yes. If you have new evidence, like an independent photo report showing damage the adjuster missed, you can ask the insurer to reconsider and re-inspect. Check your policy for deadlines.

Why did my neighbors get new roofs and I got denied?

Roofs of different ages, brands and pitches take hail differently, and different adjusters reach different conclusions. A second inspection will show whether your roof has the same kind of damage.

Do I have to accept the insurance company's inspection?

No. You can have your own roofer inspect the roof and give that documentation to your insurer. The final claim decision is the insurer's, but they should consider the evidence you send.

Will John Beal Roofing handle my claim for me?

We document the damage and meet the adjuster on the roof. We don't negotiate claims. For that, you can work with your insurer directly or hire a licensed public adjuster or attorney.

More storm damage help

Get a free storm damage inspection. Call 1-800-564-6232, answered 24/7, or use the form at the top of this page.

Roof claim denied? Here is what to do next

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